The Goshen City Forestry Division will launch the goal of “45 by ’45”— a goal of increasing the city’s tree canopy to 45 percent by the year 2045. This canopy goal will diversify the kinds of trees living in Goshen, which will in turn expand and increase their benefits to all residents, and help us to deepen our care for them.
The work will be done in five-year increments: 25 percent by 2025, 30 percent by 2030, and so on. Meeting these goals will require equal parts educating and harnessing the energy of Goshen residents along with the actual work of planting and caring for trees. The non-profit organization, Trees for Goshen, will be an important partner in helping private property owners to plant and care for trees.
The most noticeable change residents should expect to see is a diversification of the species of trees— which is an important aspect of the goal in an era when invasive pest species, such as Emerald Ash Borer, can accidentally eradicate important tree species.
Changes in the environment and climate are the key factors in understanding that our urban forest (or canopy) should grow, City Forester Aaron Sawatsky-Kingsley says. He quotes reports from the Indiana Climate Change Impacts Assessment from Purdue University, which have especially underscored the kinds of changes that are happening — ones Goshen should prepare for. Tending and growing our urban forest is possibly the cheapest and simplest way to adapt and prepare for these changes, and to mitigate some of the impacts, from rising temperatures and increased flood risk to carbon sequestration and energy efficiency.
“The Goshen Tree Canopy Goal: 45% by 2045 was created because our urban forest is an essential natural and infrastructure asset to all of us,” Sawatsky-Kingsley said. “By growing it, its value will increase. As our environment and climate continue to change, the benefits which our urban forest provide will become increasingly valuable. A large, diverse urban forest will be a buffer and a beacon for our thriving community.”
The “45 by ‘45” program has received approval at the Board of Works and will be voted on by the City Council at a later date.
Goshen’s Annual Arbor Day celebration will be held at Shanklin Park Friday, 411 W. Plymouth Ave., April 26, beginning at 4:30 p.m., and will feature children’s activities, tree planting, interactive booths, crafts and hands-one demonstrations, as well as a food court.